The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-03-23
DAKOTA'S BIG FLOOD.
ICE GORGES CAUSE THE WATER
TO LEAVE THE CHANNEL
And the People Seek Safety Upon the
Roofs of Houses and In Trees-Rsscu-
ing Parties Searching Under Difficult
ties-Heavy Damages Sustained.

ties-Heavy Damages Sustained.
BISMARCK, d. T., March 2l.-The gorge at
Sibley island is still intact, despite the dyna-
mite. The scene here is dreary one. The
river Is still over six miles in width. The
mammoth gorge is holding the water 10
the highest mark. All night swinging
light was seen in the wool, and several vain
attempts were made to send a rescuing party
thither The light was signal OF distress
from settler who, it is learned by looking
through field glass, has been ON top OF his
house since the rising of the waters, swing
ing lantern in the hope Of calling and Sc
curing help. His house is completely SUR
rounded by water and is two miles from the
shore of the new made stream, and is almost
afoat.
Rescuing parties sent out have found
several families on the roofs Of their houses.
Field glasses are being used with good results,
as numerous settlers have been discovered,
some of them perched on the trees and others
OH floating timbers. The current over the
new made channel is running over ten miles
an hour and the drift ice shoots along at
terrific speed. A large bear was seen on
cake OF ice.
The situation at the river landing here Is
unchanged The water is still running
through the boarding houses and the river
residences up to the second story.
The high trestle of the Northern Pacific
railroad is wrecked. Bismarck is the tor
minus of the Northern Pacific. A passenger
train with its Iced Of people bound for the
Pacific coast aud intermediate points laid over
here all night, and will not be able to leave
/ for several DAYS Renewed efforts 10 break
| the gorge at Sibley will be made, but 1t VIII
waste of dynamite. The gorge consists OF
six miles of solid ice wedged into the bottom
/ OF the river and piled TO a height OF thirty
/ feet.
To show with what rapidity the small
streams rise, it may be stated that stage
crossed the neck of Apple. creek, and, after
going quarter of a mile, the driver dscov-
cred that he could not go any further lie
then returned and the neck Of water, which
five minutes before was about SIX inches
desp had swollen 10 flowing river and he
yas compeled to drive halt a mile 10 get
around. Apple creek, which Is usually
about fifteen feet wide, is now over a mile
and half wide, and the high fences are en-
tirely out Of sight The snowstorm has beer.
transformed into binding blizzard, and II
is feared that rescuing parties will be lost.
They are out in small yawls, and with blind
ing storm and current Of ten miles al
hour will b.. unable TO guide their craft OF
keep their bearings.
The river il still rising and has now
reached the high water mark. The report
that Superintendent Graham was drowned
at Mandan is denied
Mails are bedpg returned. All Pacin'
,oast mail will be sent around on the Union
Pacific. The rescuing parties brought back
all people known 90 have been living ON the
bottom south of tho city. The Buford rise
has reached here The rise is now coming
from the Yellowstone and the prospect is 1t
viii make the highest water In the history oi
the country.
The gorge at Sibley island is firm and i'm
movable Through field glass the gorge
can be seen and appears to be wedged in the
bed Of the river.